Stable liquid suspension compositions

ABSTRACT

A stable liquid suspension composition comprising a liquid carrier, a solid fatty acid or a salt thereof, and a solid particulate is disclosed wherein said liquid carrier is selected from the group consisting of oils, olefins, terpenes, glycols, esters, ethers, alcohols, and combinations of any two or more thereof and said liquid carrier, solid fatty acid or salt thereof, and solid particulate are each present in said composition in a stabilizing amount sufficient to produce a stable liquid suspension. Also disclosed is a stable liquid composition comprising a liquid carrier, an oil-soluble polymer, and a solid particulate wherein said liquid carrier is selected from the group consisting of olefins, terpenes, esters, and combinations of any two or more thereof and said liquid carrier, oil-soluble polymer, and solid particulate are each present in said composition in a stabilizing amount sufficient to effect the formation of a stable liquid suspension.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/752,124, filedNov. 20, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,533.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a liquid suspension composition which can beused in a water-based fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water-based fluids such as, for example, drilling fluids, millingfluids, mining fluids, water-based metal working fluids, food additivesand water-based paints, are useful in a variety of industrialapplications. It is well known to those skilled in the art of drillingwells to tap subterranean deposits of natural resources, such as gas,geothermal steam or oil, especially when drilling by the rotary methodor the percussion method wherein cuttings must be removed from the borehole, it is necessary to use a drilling fluid.

The use of water-based fluids in, for example, workover and completionfluids in oil field operations is also well known to those skilled inthe art. Workover fluids are those fluids used during remedial work in adrilled well. Such remedial work includes removing tubing, replacing apump, cleaning out sand or other deposits, logging, etc. Workover alsobroadly includes steps used in preparing an existing well for secondaryor tertiary recovery such as polymer addition, micellar flooding, steaminjection, etc.

Completion fluids are those fluids used during drilling and during thesteps of completion, or recompletion, of the well. Completion operationcan include perforating the casing, setting the tubing and pump, etc.Both workover and completion fluids are used in part to control wellpressure, to stop the well from blowing out while it is being completedor worked over, or to prevent the collapse of casing from over pressure.

Additives, chemicals or other materials, are often added to thewater-based fluids for various reasons that include, but are not limitedto, controlling water loss, increasing viscosity, reducing corrosion,inhibiting biodegradation, and increasing the density of the fluids. Forexample, chemicals such as, for example, water-thickening polymers serveto increase the viscosity of the water-based fluids, when used asworkover fluids or completion fluids, to retard the migration of thebrines into the formation and to lift drilled solids from the wellbore.

However, unless proper precautions are taken, these water-thickeningpolymers, when mixed into a water-based fluid, agglomerate to formpartially hydrated polymer lump commonly called "fish-eyes" which areextremely slow to dissolve. Furthermore, the "fish-eyes" are oftenscreened out with drilled solids by solids control equipment commonlyused in the oil field operations. This leads to problems such as, forexample, plugging of a shale shaker screen, poor performance of thepolymers, and combinations thereof.

Dry additives other than polymers, for example, carbon black,neutralized asphalt sulfonate, lignite and combinations thereof, areinsoluble or partially soluble in water or water-based fluids. The dryadditives, besides causing the plugging problems, can be harmful to thehealth of workers if proper precautions are not taken when using theadditives.

Liquid additives and processes therefor have been developed to overcomesome of the problems associated with using dry additives. For example,although U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,448 provides an excellent stable liquidadditive and process for preparing the stable liquid additivesuspension, the liquid additive contains a hydrocarbon as a liquidcarrier. Unfortunately, because hydrocarbons are in the liquid additive,it cannot be used in some areas where environmental regulations are ofconcern. U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,597 discloses a process for manufacturing awater-based drilling fluid wherein the process comprises mixing ahydrophobic carbon black and either a surfactant or a dispersantfollowed by shearing the resulting mixture to convert the hydrophobiccarbon black to hydrophilic carbon black. However, a usable liquidadditive of neutralized asphalt sulfonate or a blend that containsneutralized asphalt sulfonate as a component cannot be prepared by theprocess disclosed in the '597 patent because the additive becomes tooviscous or solids settle out at the bottom of the additive.

It is therefore highly desirable to develop a liquid suspensioncomposition which remains stable and is usable as an additive in wateror water-based fluid. It would also be a significant contribution to theart if a stable liquid suspension composition that is alsoenvironmentally friendly for use in oil field applications is developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a stable liquid suspensioncomposition useful in oil field applications. It is another object ofthe invention to provide a process for producing the stable liquidsuspension composition. It is also an object of the invention to providea process for using the stable liquid suspension composition. Otherobjects, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent as the invention is more fully disclosed hereinbelow.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, a stable liquidsuspension composition which can be used as an additive in a water-basedfluid is provided. The composition can comprise, consists essentiallyof, or consists of a liquid carrier, a solid fatty acid or a saltthereof, and a solid particulate wherein the liquid carrier is selectedfrom the group consisting of oils, liquid alkenes, terpenes, glycols,esters, ethers, alcohols, and combinations of any two or more thereofand the liquid carrier, solid fatty acid or salt thereof, and solidparticulate are each present in the composition in a stabilizing amountsufficient to effect the formation of a stable liquid suspension. Thewater-based fluid can be used in or as drilling fluids completionfluids, workover fluids, cements, other applications, or combinations ofany two or more thereof.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, a stable liquidsuspension composition which can be used as an additive in a water-basedfluid and is also environmentally friendly is provided. The compositioncan comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a liquid carrier, anoil-soluble polymer, and a solid particulate wherein the liquid carriercan be selected from the group consisting of liquid alkenes, terpenes,esters, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term "stable liquid suspension" employed herein refers to, unlessotherwise indicated, a liquid suspension that, after 3, preferably 5,and most preferably 10 days of storage at 25° C., remains flowable andhas little or no settlement of solids. The term "water-basedcomposition" referred to in the invention denotes a compositioncontaining either water, a solution, or a suspension wherein thesolution or suspension contains dissolved, partially dissolved, orundissolved salts. Examples of salts that can be present in an aqueouscomposition in the present invention include, but are not limited to,sodium chloride, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, potassium chloride,potassium bromide, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate,magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, barium chloride, zinc chloride,zinc bromide, sodium sulfate, strontium chloride, and mixtures thereof.Generally the total salts content in the composition can vary widelyfrom 0% (distilled water) to as high as 80 weight %. The typical totalsalts content is in the range of from about 0.001 weight % to about 30weight %. For example, a produced brine which is defined as the brineco-produced with oil or gas, or both, which generally is a hardnessbrine, i.e., containing at least 1,000 ppm of Ca⁺², Ba⁺², Mg⁺², or Sr⁺²,or combinations thereof. A produced brine generally contains highsalinity of from about 1% to about 30% total dissolved solids.

The term "liquid carrier" used in the invention refers to, unlessotherwise indicated, a liquid which is not water and does not includeany aqueous component.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, a stable liquidsuspension composition useful in a water-based fluid which can be usedin oil field applications is provided which comprises, consistsessentially of, or consists of a liquid carrier; a solid fatty acid orsalt thereof; and a solid particulate. The liquid carrier can be anyliquid that, when employed in the invention composition, can effect theproduction of a stable liquid suspension. It can be selected from thegroup consisting of an oil, a liquid alkene, a terpene, a glycol, analcohol, an ester, an ether, and combinations of any two or morethereof. Examples of suitable oils include, but are not limited to,mineral oil, vegetable oils, crude oil, diesel, kerosene, pentane,decane, soybean oil, corn oil, and combinations of any two or morethereof. Liquid alkenes include linear, cyclic, and branched liquidalkenes such as 1-alkenes and polyolefins having about 8 to about 40,preferably about 8 to about 35, and most preferably 10 to 30 carbons permolecule can be used. Examples of suitable olefins include, but are notlimited to, decenes, dodecenes, tridecenes, tetradecenes, pentadieneso,hexadecenes, octadecenes, eicosene, docosene, pentacosene, hexacosene,and combinations of any two or more thereof. Alcohols can be linearalcohols or branched alcohols having about 5 to about 30, preferablyabout 5 to about 20, and most preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms permolecule. Examples of suitable alcohols include, but are not limited to,hexanol, octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol alkoxylatesproduced by reacting an epoxide such as ethylene oxide with an alcohol,and combinations of any two or more thereof. Suitable esters can be anyliquid carboxylic esters, phenolic esters, malonic esters, sulfonicesters, or combinations of any two or more thereof. Examples of suitableesters include, but are not limited to, pentyl acetate, isopentylacetate, benzyl acetate, ethyl otanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyldodecanoate, ethyl malonate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl benzoate, phenylpropionate, and combinations of any two or more thereof. Examples ofsuitable terpenes include, but are not limited to, limonene, menthol,piperitone, menthyl acetate, neomenthol, pulegone, spearmint((-)-carvone), carvyl acetates, commint, scotch mint, peppermint,α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, nerol, α-terpinene, menthofuran,β-terpinene, γ-terpinene, myrcene, geraniol, geranial, neral,citronellal, menthone, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole, ascaridole, bornneolflavonone, terpinolene, sabinene, camphene, citronellol, andcombinations of any two or more thereof. Examples of suitable glycolsinclude, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol,polypropylene glycol, and combinations of any two or more thereof. Thepresently preferred liquid carrier is a polypropylene glycol because itis commercially readily available and effective.

Polypropylene glycols are commercially available glycol-based polymers.A polypropylene glycol is the product of a propylene oxidepolymerization. Generally, a suitable polypropylene glycol can have amolecular weight in the range of from about 400 to about 7,500,preferably about 1,000 to about 6,000, more preferably about 1,200 toabout 5,000, and most preferably 1,500 to 4,500. Furthermore, thepolypropylene glycol polymer useful in the invention can also be apolypropylene glycol having one or more methyl groups attached to thepropylene units of the polymer.

Any solid particulate that is substantially insoluble, or partiallysoluble, in a liquid carrier disclosed above can be used in the presentinvention. The term "partially soluble" refers to a solubility of lessthan about 75 weight %, preferably less than about 50 weight %, and mostpreferably less than 25 weight % of the solid particulate in the liquidcarrier. Examples of suitable solid particulates include, but are notlimited to, polymers, herbicides, insecticides, sulfonated asphalt,salts of sulfonated asphalt, lime, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate,molybdenum disulfide, sodium hydroxide, graphite, zinc, tin, quebracho,lignin, lignite, caustisized lignite, lignosulfonate, chromelignosulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, unintahite (gilsonite), andcombinations of two or more thereof.

Any polymer that can increase the viscosity of a water-based compositioncan be used in the invention. The term "polymer" used herein denotes,unless otherwise indicated, a homopolymer, a copolymer, a terpolymer, ora tetrapolymer. Polymers suitable for use in the stable liquidsuspension composition include, but are not limited to, polysaccharides,cellulose or cellulose ethers, acrylamide-based polymers, miscellaneouspolymers, and combinations of any two or more thereof. These polymersare commercially available.

Example of suitable cellulose ethers are those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 3,727,688. The particularly preferred cellulose ethers include, butare not limited to, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and combinations of twoor more thereof.

The term "polysaccharide" used herein refers to, unless otherwiseindicated, macromolecules composed of many monosaccharide units such as,for example, glucose linked by glycosidic bonds. Examples ofpolysaccharides include, but are not limited to, starches, gums,heteropolysaccharides, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Examples of suitable starches include those selected from the groupconsisting of carboxymethylstarch, hydroxyethylstarch,hydroxypropylstarch, and combinations thereof.

Examples of suitable gums are those selected from the group consistingof arabic, trajacanth, karaya, shatti, locust bean, guar, psyllium seed,quince seed, agar, algin, carrageenin, furcellaran, pectin, gelatin,larch gum, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Suitable heterobiopolysaccharides can be those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,068,714 such as polysaccharide B-1459 which is biopolysaccharideproduced by the action of Xanthomonas campestris bacteria. Examples ofsuitable heterobiopolysaccharides can also include those selected fromthe group consisting of polysaccharide produced by the action ofXanthomonas campestris, Xanthomonas phaseoli, Xanthomonas mulvacearn,Xanthomonas carotae, Xanthomonas translucens, Xanthomonas hederade,Xanthomonas papavericoli, Hansenula holstii, Arthorobacter viscous,Methylomonas mucosa, Erwinia tahitica and Azotobacter indicus.

Suitable acrylamide-containing polymers are thermally stable polymershaving repeat units derived from acrylamide and optionally one olefiniccomonomer. Generally, any olefinic comonomer which can be co-polymerizedwith acrylamide can be used in the present invention. Examples ofsuitable olefinic comonomers include, but are not limited to,R--C(R)═C(R)--C(O)--C(R)(R), R--C(R)═C(R)--C(O)--N(R)--Y--R,R--C(R)═C(R)--C(O)--G--Y--Z, R--C(R)═C(R)--C(O)--G--Y--W, CH₂═CH--C(O)--N(R)--(CH₂)_(n) --CH₃, and combinations of any two or morethereof where each R can be the same or different and is each selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals, aryl radicals,aralkyl radicals, alkalkyl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, andcombinations of any two or more thereof wherein each radical can contain1 to about 12 carbon atoms; G is 0 or NH; Y is an alkylene radicalhaving 1 to about 10, preferably 1 to about 7, and most preferably 1 to4 carbon atoms and can contain substituents selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy group, halides, amino groups, alkyl radicals, arylradicals, alkaryl radicals, aralkyl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, andcombinations of any two or more thereof wherein each carbon-containingradical has 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; W is an acid moiety selectedfrom the group consisting of phosphonic acids, phosphoric acids,phosphinic acids, sulfuric acids, sulfonic acids, sulftirous acids,sulfinic acids, carboxylic acids, alkali metal salts of the acids,ammonium salts of the acids, and combinations of any two or morethereof; Z has a formula selected from the group consisting of N(R)(R),N⁺ (R)(R)(R)X⁻, and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein R isthe same as above and X can be any inorganic anion selected from thegroup consisting of sulfonates, sulfinates, sulfates, phosphonates,phosphinates, phosphates, halides, nitrates, and combinations of any twoor more thereof; and n is a number of from 0 to about 10. More specificexamples of suitable olefinic comonomers include, but are not limitedto, vinyl acetate, vinylpyridine, styrene, methyl methacrylate,acryloylpiperazine, methacryloylpiperazine, methacryloylmorpholine,methacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid, ammonium salt ofmethacrylic acid, alkali metal salts of methacrylic acid,2-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylamine, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, alkali metal salts of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-methacryloyloxyethane sulfonic acid, alkali metal saltsof 2-methacryloyloxyethane sulfonic acid, acryloylmorpholine,N-4-butylphenylacrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane dimethylammoniumchloride, 2-methacryloyloxyethyldiethylamine,3-methacrylamidopropyldimethylamine, vinylsulfonic acids, alkali metalsalts of vinylsulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, alkali metal saltsof styrene sulfonic acid, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combinations of anytwo or more thereof. The presently preferred comonomers are2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, alkali metal salts of2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, orcombinations of any two or more thereof. The presently preferredacrylamide-containing polymers are copolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidoneand acrylamide, terpolymers of sodium2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonate, acrylamide andN-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, copolymers of sodium2-acrylamido-2-methyl-2-propanesulfonate and acrylamide, andcombinations of any two or more thereof for applications in highsalinity environments at elevated temperatures. Selected terpolymersalso are useful in the present process, such as terpolymers derived fromacrylamide and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone comonomers with lesser amounts oftermonomers such as vinyl acetate, vinylpyridine, styrene, methylmethacrylate, and other polymers containing acrylate groups. Generally,the mole percent of acrylamide is in the range of from about 15 to about100%, preferably about 20 to about 85%, and most preferably 20 to 80%.Olefinic comonomer, if present, makes up the rest of the mole percent.

Other miscellaneous polymers suitable for use in the present inventioninclude partially hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene sulfonate,lignosulfonates, and methylolated polyacrylamides.

Based on the total weight % of a liquid suspension composition of thepresent invention, the solid particulate can be present in thecomposition in any weight % and can be in the range of from about 15weight % to about 70 weight %, preferably about 20 weight % to about 60weight %, and most preferably 30 weight % to 50 weight %.

The term "fatty acid", as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, isreferred to an aliphatic carboxylic acid, an aryl carboxylic acid, afatty acid salt, or combinations of two or more thereof. Suitablecarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, linear carboxylicacids having about 8 to about 40, preferably aobut 10 to aobut 30, andmost preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms such as, for example, octanoic,nonanoic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic, tridecanoic, tetradecanoic,pentadecanoic, hexadecanoic, heptadecanoic, ocitadecanoic (stearicacid), nonadecanoic, eicosanoic, heneicosanoic, docosanoic, tricosanoic,tetraosanoic, pentacosanoic, hexacosanoic, heptacosanoic, octacosanoic,nonacoisanoic, triacontanoic, hentricontanoic, dotriacontanoic,tetratriacontanoic, and sentatrioacontanoic acid. In addition, thecarboxylic acids useful in the present invention may contain branchedcarbon chains or pendant carboxyl groups such as, for example,iso-lauric or iso-stearic acid.

Fatty acid salts suitable for use in the present invention are typicallyhigh melting solids and include the Group I, II, III or IV of thePeriodic Table of The Elements, as shown in the CRC Handbook ofChemistry and Physics, 67th edition (1986-1987 CRC Press, Boca Raton,Fla), metal salts of those fatty acids having from about 8 to about 40,more preferably from about 10 to about 30, and most preferably 12 to 20carbon atoms per molecule. Examples of suitable fatty acid saltsinclude, but are not limited to, the aluminum, calcium, magnesium,sodium, and zinc salts of lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids.The presently preferably fatty acid salt is calcium stearate for it isreadily available.

The weight % of the fatty acid or salt thereof can be in the range offrom about 1 to about 30%, preferably about 2 to about 25%, and mostpreferably 3 to 20% based on the total weight of the liquid suspensioncomposition equaling 100%.

The liquid carrier disclosed above generally makes up the rest of theliquid suspension composition.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, a stable liquidsuspension composition is provided which comprises, consists essentiallyof, or consists of a liquid carrier, an oil-soluble polymer, and a solidparticulate. The liquid carrier can be selected from the groupconsisting of liquid alkenes, terpenes, esters, and combinations of anytwo or more thereof. The liquid carrier can comprise a minor amount of aparaffin, an alcohol, or combinations of any two or more thereof.Examples of suitable liquid alkenes, terpenes, and esters can be thesame as those disclosed in the first embodiment of the invention. Thedefinition, and scope of the solid particulate can also be the same asthose disclosed in the first embodiment of the invention except that thesolid particulate polymers are water-soluble polymers.

Any oil soluble polymers that can form a stable liquid suspensioncomposition with a liquid carrier and a solid particulate disclosedabove can be used in the present invention. Examples of suitableoil-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, polystyrene,polybutene, copolymers of styrene and isoprene, copolymers of styreneand ethylene, copolymers of styrene and propylene, copolymers ofstyrene, ethylene, and propylene, copolymers of styrene and butene,copolymers of styrene and isobutene, copolymers of styrene andbutadiene, copolymers of ethylene and propylene, and combinations of anytwo or more thereof. These polymers can be block copolymers, randomcopolymers, or combinations thereof. The presently preferred oil-solublepolymers are block copolymers of styrene and isoprene, hydrogenatedblock copolymers of styrene and isoprene, and copolymers of styrene andbutadiene, hydrogenated copolymers of styrene and butadiene, andcombinations of any two or more thereof.

The oil-soluble polymer can be present in the composition in the rangeof from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent (%) preferably about 0.2 toabout 8%, and most preferably 0.3 to 5%. The solid particulate can bepresent in the composition in the range of from about 15 to about 70%,preferably about 20 to about 60%, and most preferably 30 to 50%. Similarto the first embodiment of the invention, the liquid carrier makes upthe rest of the liquid suspension composition of the second embodimentof the invention.

The stable liquid suspension composition disclosed in either the firstor the second embodiment of the invention can be prepared by any mixingmeans, such as, for example, a blender, known to one skilled in the art.

Water, an aqueous solution, or a suspension containing water, cangenerally be used to prepare a water-based fluid containing the liquidsuspension composition of the invention for oil field applications. Aproduced brine which is an oil field brine coproduced with oil or gas orboth can also be used as a component of a water-based fluid. The liquidsuspension composition of the invention can be present in thewater-based fluid in the range of from about 0.01 to about 90,preferably about 0.1 to about 80, and most preferably 1 to 50 weight %.Water, solution, suspension, or produced brine generally makes up therest of the water-based fluid containing the composition of theinvention.

A weighing agent can be added to a water-based fluid containing theliquid suspension composition in any amount to increase the density ofthe water-based fluid to a desired density. Suitable weighing agentsinclude, but are not limited to barite, hematite, carbonates, galena,and combinations of two or more thereof.

The water-based fluid can also contain a clay. The clay useful in theinvention can be any clay. Examples of suitable clays include, but arenot limited to, kaolinite, halloysite, vermiculite, chlorite,attapulgite, smectite, montmorillonite, illite, saconite, sepiolite,palygorskite, Fuller's earth, and mixtures thereof. The presentlypreferred clay is montmorillonite clay. The presently most preferredclay is sodium montmorillonite, which is also known as bentonite claycan be present in the water-based fluid in any amount known to oneskilled in the art.

According to the invention, a process for retaining the viscosity of orcontrolling water loss of a clay-containing water-based fluid is alsoprovided which comprises contacting the fluid with a liquid suspensioncomposition which can be the same as the liquid suspension compositiondisclosed above.

The clay-containing, water-based fluid can be used in well treating,drilling, workover, or completion in oil field operations by thoseskilled in the art. Generally, the viscosified aqueous composition canbe used in any drilled wells having a temperature in the range of fromabout 70° F. to about 450° F, preferably about 75° F. to about 350° F.,and most preferably 80° F. to 300° F. Because these oil field operationsare well known to those skilled in the art, descriptions of which areomitted herein for the interest of brevity.

The following specific examples are intended to illustrate theadvantages of the present invention and are not intended to unduly limitthe scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE I

Four compositions were prepared by mixing the components shown in TableIA with a Hamilton Beach Malt mixer in glass bottles. The mixing timeafter the addition of each component is shown in the table. After themixing was completed, the bottles were capped and then they were keptundisturbed at about 75° F. The compositions were observed at varioustimes. Observations of the composition are provided in Table IB. Thecompositions were also observed for flowability by turning the bottlesto one of the sides. After the such observations, the bottles wereshaken very gently for five seconds and, after removing caps, they wereturned over. The liquid composition that flowed out in five minutesafter turning over the bottle was weighed and the percent of acomposition flowed out from the bottle was calculated. These results areprovided under "% Flowed" in Table IB.

                  TABLE IA.sup.a    ______________________________________    Run  Materials Used    ______________________________________    1    22 g Soltrol ® 170.sup.a + 20 g Drispac ® Regular (five         minutes)    2    22 g Soltrol ® 170 + 28 Drispac ® Regular (five minutes)    3    22 g Soltrol ® 170 + 8 g Ca-stearate Regular (one minutes) + 20         g         Drispac ® Regular (five minutes)    4    20 g Soltrol ® 170 + 10 g Ca-stearate Regular (one minutes) +         20 g Drispac ® Regular (five minutes)    ______________________________________     .sup.a Soltrol ® 170 is a mineral oil obtained from Phillips Petroleu     Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Drispac ® Regular is a carboxymethyl     cellulose also obtained from Phillips Petroleum Company; and Castearate     Regular was obtained from Witco Corporation, Houston, Texas.

                  TABLE IB    ______________________________________         Time at                         %    Run  75° F.                 Observations            Flowed.sup.a    ______________________________________    1    One     Separated in two phases, about 35% by volume                                         74         Hour    clear liquid on top and 65% white sludge at                 bottom, the sludge did not flow when the bottle                 was turned to side indicating that the solids had                 settled and compacted    2    One     Separated in two phases, about 15% by volume                                         68         Hour    clear liquid on top and 85% white sludge at                 bottom, the sludge did not flow when the bottle                 was turned to side indicating that the solids had                 settled and compacted    3    One     Very homogeneous and no separation, whole         Hour    composition flowed when the bottle was turn to                 side    4    One     Very homogeneous, no separation, whole         Hour    composition flowed when the bottle was turned                 to side    3    3 Days  About 5% by volume clear liquid on the                 surface, whole composition flowed when the                 bottle was turned to side    4    3 Days  Very homogeneous and no separation, the                 composition did not flow when the bottle was                 turned to side    3    175     About 5% by volume clear liquid on the                                         92         Days    surface, only liquid from the surface flowed                 when the bottle was turned to side    4    175     About 5% by volume clear liquid on the                                         86         Days    surface, only liquid from the surface flowed                 when the bottle was turned to side    ______________________________________     ##STR1##

The results shown in Table IB indicate that the invention compositions(runs 3 and 4) remained stable for a longer period than runs 1 and 2that did not contain calcium stearate. Runs 1 and 2 separated completelyin only one hour after they were kept undisturbed. To the contrary,after 175 days, runs 3 and 4 were substantially stable. Furthermore,after shaking, a significantly higher percentage of the composition ofruns 3 and 4 flowed out of the containers. These results furtherindicate that the invention compositions of runs 3 and 4 would be easierand more efficient for the end uses, for example, as a drilling fluidadditive.

EXAMPLE II

Three compositions were prepared by mixing the component shown in TableIIA with a Hamilton Beach Malt mixer in glass bottles. The mixing timeafter the addition of each component is shown in the table. After themixing was completed, the bottles were capped and then they were keptundisturbed at around 75° F. The compositions were observed at varioustimes. The observations are provided in Table IIB. The compositions werealso observed for flowability by turning the bottles to one of thesides. Next, the bottles were shaken very gently for five seconds and,after removing caps, they were turned over. The liquid composition thatflowed out in five minutes after turning over the bottle was weighed andthe percent of the composition flow out from the bottle was calculated.These results are provided under "% Flowed" in Table IIB.

                  TABLE IIA    ______________________________________    Run  Materials Used    ______________________________________    1    22 g C501 bottoms.sup.a + 18 g Drispac ® Regular.sup.b (five         minutes)    2    22 g C501 bottoms + 23 g Drispac ® Regular (five minutes)    3    22 g C501 bottoms + 5 g Ca-stearate Regular (one minutes) + 18 g         Drispac ® Regular (five minutes)    ______________________________________     .sup.a C501 bottoms is a mixture of liquid alkenes and paraffins of 12 to     26 carbons and is obtained from bottoms of liquid alkenes production. It     was obtained from Ethyl Corporation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.     .sup.b See Table IA.

                  TABLE IIB    ______________________________________         Time at                         %    Run  75° F.                 Observations            Flowed.sup.a    ______________________________________    1    One     Separated in two phases, about 25% by volume                                         68         Hour    clear liquid on top and 75% white sludge at                 bottom, the sludge did not flow when the bottle                 was turned to side indicating that the solids had                 settled and compacted    2    One     Separated in two phases, about 15% by volume                                         65         Hour    clear liquid on top and 85% white sludge at                 bottom, the sludge did not flow when the bottle                 was turned to side indicating that the solids had                 settled and compacted    3    One     Very homogeneous and no separation, whole         Hour    composition flowed when the bottle was turned                 to side    3    3 Days  About 15% by volume clear liquid on the                 surface, whole composition flowed when the                 bottle was turned to side    3    175     About 20% by volume clear liquid on the                                         94         Days    surface, only liquid from the surface flowed                 when the bottle was turned to side    ______________________________________     .sup.a See Table IB.

The observations in Table IIB indicate that the invention composition(run 3) remained stable for a longer period than runs 1 and 2 that didnot contain calcium stearate. Runs 1 and 2 separated completely in onlyone hour after they were kept undisturbed. However, after 175 days, run3 was substantially stable. Further, after shaking, a significantlyhigher percentage of the composition of run 3 flowed out of the bottle.These results also indicate that the invention composition of run 3would be easier and more efficient for the end uses, for example, as adrilling fluid additive.

EXAMPLE III

Three compositions were prepared by mixing the components shown in TableIIIA with a Hamilton Beach Malt mixer in glass bottles. After the mixingof all components, the liquid compositions were mixed about 5 minutes.The compositions were heated to about 120° F. and then they were mixed15 minutes. After keeping them two hours at about 75° F., they weremixed one minute. The bottles were capped and then kept undisturbed atabout 75° F. The compositions were observed for stability at varioustimes. The observations are provided in Table IIIB.

                  TABLE IIIA    ______________________________________    Run    Materials Used    ______________________________________    1      30 g PPG 4000.sup.a + 20 g copolymer.sup.b    2      28 g PPG 4000 + 22 g copolymer    3      28 g PPG 4000 + 20 g copolymer + 2 g Ca-stearate    ______________________________________           Regular     .sup.a PPG 4000 is a polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of     about 4000 obtained from Dow Chemicals, Midland, Michigan.     .sup.b It is a copolymer of acrylamide (50 weight %) and sodium     2acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate (50 weight %) obtained from Phillip     Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

                  TABLE IIIB    ______________________________________         Time at    Run  75° F.                 Observations    ______________________________________    1    4       Clear liquid (PPG 4000) on the surface and solids started         Hours   to settle at bottom    2    4       Clear liquid (PPG 4000) on the surface and solids started         Hours   to settle at bottom    3    4       Very homogeneous composition         Hours    1    3       Clear liquid (PPG 4000) on the surface and settling of         Days    solids at bottom    2    3       Clear liquid (PPG 4000) on the surface and settling of         Days    solids at bottom    3    3       Very homogeneous composition, no clear liquid on the         Days    surface    3    11      Very homogeneous composition, no clear liquid on the         Days    surface    3    62      Slightly clear liquid on the surface, easily flowable, more         Days    than 80% of composition flowed out of the bottle when                 the bottle was opened up and turned over in 10    ______________________________________                 minutes

The observations in Table IIIB indicate that the inventive liquidcomposition (run 3) remained stable for at least 60 days. Runs 1 and 4,which did not contain calcium stearate, became unstable in only 4 hours.

EXAMPLE IV

Six compositions were prepared by mixing the components shown in TableIVA with a Hamilton Beach Malt mixer in glass bottles. The mixing timeafter the addition of each component is shown in the table. After themixing of Shellvis® 40, the bottles of run 2, 4 and 6 were capped andkept in an oven at about 160° F. for about 30 minutes. The heatedcompositions were shaken vigorously and, after cooling them to about 90°F., Drispac polymer was added and the resulting suspension was furthermixed. After the mixing of all components, all the bottles were cappedand then kept undisturbed at around 75° F. The compositions wereobserved for stability at various time. The observations are provided inTable IVB.

                  TABLE IVA    ______________________________________    Run  Materials Used    ______________________________________    1    46.4 g of tetradecene-1 + 32 g Drispac ® Regular.sup.a (15         minutes)    2    46.4 of tetradecene-1 + 1.6 g Shellvis ® 40.sup.b (one minute) +         32 g         Drispac Regular (15 minutes)    3    46.4 g of tetradecene-1/tetradecane.sup.c + 32 g Drispac ®         Regular (15         minutes)    4    46.4 g of tetradecene-1/tetradecane + 1.6 g Shellvis ®.sup.a 40         (one         minute) + 32 g Drispac ® Regular (15 minutes)    5    46.4 g of C1830 liquid alkene alcohol.sup.d + 32 g Drispac ®         Regular         (15 minutes)    6    46.4 g of C1830 liquid alkene alcohol + 1.6 g Shellvis ® 40         (one         minute) + 32 g Drispac ® Regular (15 minutes)    ______________________________________     .sup.a See Table IA     .sup.b A hydrogenated block copolymer of styrene and isoprene, obtained     from Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas.     .sup.c Contained 17 weight % tetradecane.     .sup.d C1830 liquid alkene alcohol is a mixture of hydrocarbons and     alcohols obtained from AMOCO Chemical Company, Chicago, Illinois.

                  TABLE IVB    ______________________________________         Time at    Run  75° F.                 Observations    ______________________________________    1    One     Separated in two phases, about 25% by volume clear         Day     liquid on top and 75% white sludge at bottom, the sludge                 did not flow when the bottle was turned to side indicating                 the solids had settled and compacted    2    One     Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-         Day     tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    3    One     Separated in two phases, about 25% by volume clear         Day     liquid on top and 75% white sludge at bottom, the sludge                 did not flow when the bottle was turned to side indicating                 the solids had settled and compacted    4    One     Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-         Day     tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    5    One     Separated in two phases, about 25% by volume clear         Day     liquid on top and 75% white sludge at bottom, the sludge                 did not flow when the bottle was turned to side indicating                 the solids had settled and compacted    6    One     Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-         Day     tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    2    13 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    4    13 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    6    12 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    2    29 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    4    29 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    6    28 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    4    90 Days Very homogeneous and no separation, whole composi-                 tion flowed when the bottle was turned to side    6    89 Days About 5% by volume liquid on the surface, whole                 composition flowed when the bottom was turned on    ______________________________________                 side

The observations in Table IVB indicate that the invention compositions(runs 2, 4, and 6) remained stable for a longer period than runs 1, 3,and 5 that did not contain Shellvis® 40. Runs 1, 3, and 5 separatedcompletely in only one day after they were kept undisturbed. On theother hand, after about one month, runs 2, 4, and 6 remained stable andflowable.

EXAMPLE V

Four compositions were prepared by mixing the components shown in tableVA with a Hamilton Beach Malt mixer in glass bottles. After the mixingof all components, the liquid compositions were mixed about fiveminutes. The compositions were heated to about 120° F. and then theywere mixed 15 minutes. After keeping them two hours at about 75° F.,they were further mixed for one minute. The bottles were capped and thenkept undisturbed at around 75° F. The compositions were observed forstability at various intervals as shown in Table VB.

                  TABLE VA    ______________________________________    Run   Materials Used    ______________________________________    1     23.4 g of tetradecene-1 + 16 g of sodium asphalt sulfonate    2     23.4 g of tetradecene-1 + 16 g of sodium asphalt sulfonate +          1.0 g Shellvis ®.sup.a 40    3     16.0 g of d-limonene + 10 g sodium asphalt sulfonate    4     16.0 g of d-limonene + 10 g sodium asphalt sulfonate + 1.0 g          Shellvis ® 40    ______________________________________     .sup.a See Table IVA

                  TABLE VB    ______________________________________         Time at    Run  75° F.                  Observations    ______________________________________    1     4 Hours Separated badly, black sludge had settled at the bottom    2     4 Hours Very homogeneous and no separation    3     4 Hours Separated badly, black sludge had settled at the bottom    4     4 Hours Very homogeneous and no separation    2     3 Days  Very homogeneous and no separation    4     3 Days  Very homogeneous and no separation    2    11 Days  Very homogeneous and no separation    4    11 Days  Very homogeneous and no separation    2    42 Days  Very slight liquid on the surface, easily flowable, more                  than 80 of composition flowed out of the bottle when                  the bottle was opened up and turned over in 10                  minutes    4    42 Days  Very slight liquid on the surface, easily flowable, more                  than 80 of composition flowed out of the bottle when                  the bottle was opened up and turned over in 10                  minutes    ______________________________________

The observations in Table VB indicate that the invention compositions(runs 2 and 4) remained stable for a longer period than runs 1 and 3that did not contain Shellvis® 40. Runs 1 and 3 separated completely inonly one day after they were kept undisturbed. However, after 42 days,runs 2 and 4 remained stable and flowable.

The results shown in the above examples clearly demonstrate that thepresent invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attainthe end and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, suchmodifications are encompassed within the spirit of the present inventionas defined by the specification and the claims.

That which is claimed:
 1. A stable liquid suspension compositioncomprising a liquid carrier, a solid fatty acid or a salt thereof, and asolid particulate wherein said liquid carrier is selected from the groupconsisting of oils, liquid alkenes, terpenes, glycols, esters, ethers,alcohols, and combinations of any two or more thereof; said liquidcarrier, solid fatty acid or salt thereof, and solid particulate areeach present in said composition in a stabilizing amount sufficient toproduce a stable liquid suspension; and said solid particulate isselected from the group consisting of polymers, herbicides,insecticides, sulfonated asphalt, salts of sulfonated asphalt, lime,sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, molybdenum disulfide, sodiumhydroxide, graphite, zinc, tin, quebracho, lignin, lignite, caustisizedlignite, lignosulfonate, chrome lignosulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate,unintahite (gilsonite), and combinations of two or more thereof.
 2. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said liquid carrier is selectedfrom the group consisting of mineral oil, vegetable oils, crude oil,diesel, kerosene, pentane, decane, soybean oil, corn oil, decenes,dodecenes, tridecenes, tetradecenes, pentadienes, hexadecenes,octadecenes, eicosene, docosene, pentacosene, hexacosene, hexanol,octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol alkoxylates, pentylacetate, isopentyl acetate, benzyl acetate, ethyl otanoate, ethyldecanoate, ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl malonate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethylbenzoate, phenyl propionate, limonene, menthol, piperitone, menthylacetate, neomenthol, pulegone, spearmint ((-)-carvone), carvyl acetates,cornmint, scotch mint, peppermint, α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, nerol,α-terpinene, menthofuran, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene, myrcene, geraniol,geranial, neral, citronellal, menthone, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole,ascaridole, bornneol flavonone, terpinolene, sabinene, camphene,citronellol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol,dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, andcombinations of any two or more thereof.
 3. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein said liquid carrier is a mineral oil.
 4. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein said liquid carrier is a polypropyleneglycol polymer.
 5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidliquid carrier is a mixture of a liquid alkene and a paraffin.
 6. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said fatty acid or salt thereofhas 12 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule.
 7. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein said salt of fatty acid is calcium stearate.
 8. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said solid particulate is aherbicide.
 9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said solidparticulate is a polymer.
 10. A composition according to claim 9 whereinsaid polymer is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides,cellulose; cellulose ethers, acrylamide-based polymers,polyacrylonitrile polystyrene sulfonate, lignosulfonate, andcombinations of any two or more thereof.
 11. A composition according toclaim 9 wherein said polymer is a carboxymethyl cellulose.
 12. Acomposition according to claim 9 wherein said polymer is anacrylamide-containing polymers having repeat units derived fromacrylamide and an olefinic comonomer.
 13. A composition according toclaim 9 wherein said polymer is a copolymer of acrylamide and sodium2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate.
 14. A stable liquid suspensioncomposition comprising a liquid carrier, a solid fatty acid or a saltthereof, and a solid particulate whereinsaid liquid carrier, solid fattyacid or salt thereof, and solid particulate are each present in saidcomposition in a stabilizing amount sufficient to produce a stableliquid suspension; said liquid carrier is selected from the groupconsisting of mineral oil, vegetable oils, crude oil, diesel, kerosene,pentane, decane, soybean oil, corn oil, decenes, dodecenes, tridecenes,tetradecenes, pentadienes, hexadecenes, octadecenes, eicosene, docosene,pentacosene, hexacosene, hexanol, octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol,alcohol alkoxylates, carboxylic esters, phenolic esters, malonic esters,sulfonic esters, limonene, menthol, piperitone, menthyl acetate,neomenthol, pulegone, spearmint ((-)-carvone), carvyl acetates,cornmint, scotch mint, peppermint, α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, nerol,α-terpinene, menthofuran, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene, myrcene, geraniol,geranial, neral, citronellal, menthone, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole,ascaridole, bornneol flavonone, terpinolene, sabinene, camphene,citronellol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol,dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, andcombinations of any two or more thereof; said fatty acid or salt thereofhas 12 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule; said solid particulate isselected from the group consisting of polymers, herbicides,insecticides, sulfonated asphalt, salts of sulfonated asphalt, lime,sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, molybdenum disulfide, sodiumhydroxide, graphite, zinc, tin, quebracho, lignin, lignite, caustisizedlignite, lignosulfonate, chrome lignosulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate,unintahite (gilsonite), and combinations of two or more thereof; andsaid polymer is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides,cellulose; cellulose ethers, acrylamide-based polymers,polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene sulfonate, lignosulfonate, andcombinations of any two or more thereof.
 15. A composition according toclaim 14 wherein said liquid carrier is a polypropylene glycol polymer;said salt of fatty acid is calcium stearate; and said polymer is acarboxymethyl cellulose.
 16. A composition according to claim 14 whereinsaid liquid carrier is a polypropylene glycol polymer; said salt offatty acid is calcium stearate; and said polymer is a copolymer ofacrylamide and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate.
 17. Astable liquid composition comprising a liquid carrier selected from thegroup consisting of mineral oil, polypropylene glycol, liquid alkene,paraffin, and combinations of two or more thereof, calcium stearate; anda solid particulate selected from herbicide, polymer, and combinationsthereof wherein said liquid carrier, calcium stearate, and solidparticulate are each present in said composition in a stabilizing amountsufficient to effect the formation of a stable liquid suspension.
 18. Acomposition according to claim 17 wherein said liquid carrier ispolypropylene glycol and solid particulate is a copolymer of acrylamideand sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate.
 19. A compositionaccording to claim 17 wherein said liquid carrier is polypropyleneglycol and solid particulate is a carboxy methyl cellulose.